British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Bloghttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog
The BC Innkeepers GuildSat, 16 Sep 2017 20:57:21 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.2#Explore Vancouver Islandhttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/09/explore-vancouver-island/
https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/09/explore-vancouver-island/#respondSat, 16 Sep 2017 20:57:21 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4786Relax and take your time when exploring Vancouver Island! This westernmost part of Canada and the largest island on the west coast of North America, is all about its laid back life style, small communities, artisans, vineyards, wildlife and outdoor pursuits.

Great ocean view of the Sansum Narrows while hiking on Vancouver Island

Southern Vancouver Island south of the town of Ladysmith is located below the 49th parallel, has a temperate to warm climate and is home to one of BC’s newer wine regions. Not only is the south island home to wineries, but distilleries and many craft breweries have flourished here as well. The main wine region in the Cowichan Valley, between Victoria and Nanaimo, as well as the Saanich Peninsula and expanding up Island to the Comox Valley have all seen a growth in the wine industry, with small family owned wineries producing award-winning wines. Specialty food producers and organic farms have embellished the Island’s “foodie” reputation, showcased by festivals such as the Savour Cowichan Festival running from September 29 – October 8, 2017.

As surrounded by the ocean as it is, Vancouver Island is of course a water sports paradise. Both Campbell River and Port Alberni call themselves “the salmon capital of the world”, attracting avid fishing enthusiasts. Boating and kayaking opportunities are everywhere and the island’s west coast, especially between Ucluelet and Tofino offers fantastic surfing, while the Cowichan region’s Nitinaht Lake is a unique spot for great wind surfing.

Old growth tree in Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island

Also taking to the waters around the island are numerous whale watching boats. In spring and fall the grey whale migration from Mexico to Alaska, and back, passes along the west coast, offering wonderful opportunities to see these giant creatures. During summer and early fall, orcas, both resident pods and transient pods are frequent visitors to Island waters. In recent years, humpback whales have been increasingly visiting these waters as well. Aside from whales, you can find seals, sea lions, otters, porpoises, bald eagles and a wide variety of birds on your whale watching trip as well. Wildlife on land that you may run into include deer, elk, black bear, wolf and cougar. In fact, the cougar population on Vancouver Island is the highest per capita population in the world.

The island offers fantastic hiking trails at all difficulty levels. The most famous of these trails is the West Coast Trail, a multi-day wilderness trail on the west coast that is a challenge for even experienced hikers. Generally taking from 5-7 days, reservations must be made to hike this trail. Recently a third entrance to the West Coast Trail at Nitinath Lake has opened, allowing for a 2-3 day hike. On the northern tip of the Island Cape Scott Provincial Park also offers a challenging hike, not to forget Strathcona Provincial Park, BC’s oldest provincial park, located mid-Island. Many, many more great trails surrounded by forests and some of the largest trees in the world, or offering spectacular ocean views are found all over the island. Visit the Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew on the Island’s south west coast to see the largest fir tree in the world and Canada’s “gnarliest tree” and don’t miss Cathedral Grove on the way to Port Alberni for a pocket of old growth forest.

Along the Nanaimo Harbor Walk on Vancouver Island

No visit to the Island is complete without at least a day in Victoria, BC’s capital city on the southern tip of the Island. Famous Butchart Gardens and the Royal BC Museum are must sees, but wander around the inner harbor and the waterfront to experience the “flavor” that makes Victoria such a great destination. The Island’s second largest city Nanaimo also offers a wonderful harbor walk with never ending views and funky little eateries on the docks.

Wherever you go, your Vancouver Island B&B hosts are a great resource to point out all the interesting places in their area, so you can fully enjoy a little Island time!

]]>https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/09/explore-vancouver-island/feed/0The Shuswap – Your Summer Playgroundhttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/08/the-shuswap-your-summer-playground/
https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/08/the-shuswap-your-summer-playground/#respondFri, 18 Aug 2017 01:34:57 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4774Summer time in the Shuswap – a great place to relax and play and enjoy all the things you love about summertime.

Shuswap Lake

The location of the Shuswap region, midway between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta makes it a favored destination for a lot of folks. Of course one of the main attractions of the region is Shuswap Lake, one of the most popular vacation destinations in the province with 400 km of shoreline, provincial parks and endless opportunities for all kinds of water recreation. There are four arms to Shuswap Lake: Salmon Arm (southwest), Shuswap Arm (west), Anstey Arm (northeast) and Seymour Arm (north). North of Shuswap Lake is considered the North Shuswap, home to many artists and craftspeople. You’ll find extensive hiking and riding trails here and come the fall, the world famous Adams River Salmon Run.

The South Shuswap runs along Hwy. 1 and the southern shores of Shuswap Lake. Everywhere you have awe inspiring views of the surrounding mountains as backdrop to this water playground. Try boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, water skiing, swimming, fishing, or rent a houseboat to explore all areas of the lake. The town of Sicamous calls itself the “Houseboat Capital of Canada” with its location on both Shuswap Lake and Mara Lake. You’ll find organic farms here as well as award winning wineries with cool climate wines. Of course there are golf courses in the region as well for your pleasure.

From the Sicamous lookout looking down at Sicamous and Shuswap and Mara Lake

The centre of the Shuswap region is the town of Salmon Arm. With many hiking and biking trails around town, and Canada’s longest wooden inland curved wharf, there is no problem being active even when you’re in town. Check out the Farmers Markets, any one of numerous galleries and unique boutiques, or find a spot at a cozy little bistro to enjoy locally grown and organic fresh foods. If you’re in town around the third weekend of August, you must check out the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, but be prepared for it to be very busy as this festival attracts up to 25,000 visitors each year.

And while summer in the Shuswap is all about lakes and sunshine, do come back in the winter to enjoy great cross country skiing, snowmobiling and sleigh rides.

There are great Shuswap area B&Bs to make your home away from home while you take your time to explore all the corners and small communities of this northern Okanagan region. It’s a place to relax and rejuvenate and let your cares float away on the waters of the lake!

]]>https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/08/the-shuswap-your-summer-playground/feed/0Prince George: The Hub of Northern BChttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/07/prince-george-the-hub-of-northern-bc/
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 23:06:44 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4762Prince George is considered the hub of Northern BC, yet if you look at the BC map, it’s not even half way up the province if you’re counting from the US border. This “northern capital” city, with a population of around 74,000, is not only the center for culture and shopping, but has a huge wilderness area right in its backyard, with endless opportunities for exploring and outdoor activities.

The Prince George Civic Centre

The name Prince George comes from the original Fort George trading post founded by Simon Fraser, whose name was later attached the the river that links Prince George to the rest of the province. The city is home to a multicultural population, as well as the University of Northern British Columbia. Museums such as The Exploration Place and the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum allow you to delve into Prince George’s history. Don’t miss Mr. PG, at the junction of Hwys. 97 and 16. Now a fibreglass and steel figure, he was originally a wooden figure to celebrate Prince George’s forestry background as part of a float in the 1963 Grey Cup parade.

Use Prince George as your home base for day trips in the region. North of the city you’ll find the Huble Homestead Historic Site at the Giscome Portage. Closed after World War I, in 1983 plans and fundraising got underway to restore the former cabins and store, and it has become a very popular attraction. Visit the Ancient Forest Recreation site, a unique inland wet temperate rainforest in the watershed of the upper Fraser River. This easy-moderate hike includes a waterfall and a beautiful section of boardwalk. A local hiking group called the Caledonia Ramblers has published a “Hiking North Central BC Guide” covering other favorite hikes in the region, including everything from moderate to more challenging hikes such as Fang Mountain, and also organizes weekly hikes, and snowshoeing trips in the winter. The Otway Nordic Ski Centre just west of Prince George has its network of 55 km of trails open in summer for hikers and bikers, while during winter it offers groomed trails, night skiing, snowshoeing trails and a world class biathlon facility.

Expect to see the unexpected in Prince George – at the Aberdeen Glen

Hiking in the Ancient Forest near Prince George

There are 120 parks in the Prince George area alone to explore, or you can take guided tours to visit known wildlife viewing sites, or go fishing, or hunting. Combine your outdoor exploration with some great art galleries in the city, great eateries, some shopping and return to your hosts at the Prince George B&B you checked into the day before. Not only do they offer great hospitality but they can help you plan your next day’s activities to fully enjoy your time in this “northern” city!

British Columbia is, among other things, known for being an outdoor paradise, and the Kootenays Rockies region certainly fits that bill. Small towns are scattered among the many lakes and rivers, waterfalls, mineral hot springs, wildflower meadows and snowy mountains. Your outdoor adventure is waiting here for you!

Four of Canada’s national parks are located in this part of British Columbia: Glacier National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Yoho National Park, and Kootenay National Park. Glacier National Park near Golden is Canada’s second oldest national park and is considered the birthplace of mountaineering in North America, as in 1888 two Brits completed the first recreational technical climb in the Selkirk Mountains. A number of years later Swiss guides that were provided to the guests of the Glacier House Hotel in Roger’s Pass established a network of trails that are used by climbers to this date. Great Bed & Breakfast accommodation can be found in Golden and Revelstoke as your starting point to explore this park and others.

Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park

Hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River and horseback riding, bird and wildlife watching, all provide many outdoor adventures in the summer. Kootenay National Park is particularly known for its wide variety of ecology and climate, from arid to mountain peaks. You’ll find a cold mineral spring at Paint Pots, to mineral hot spring pools at Radium Hot Springs. Enjoy two great interpretative trails at Mount Revelstoke National Park, the Giant Cedars Board Walk and the Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk, and alpine meadows covered in wildflowers. Yoho National Park features 28 peaks that are over 3000 meters high as well as Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s highest water falls. Explore the more than 500 million year old Burgess Shale fossil deposit and beautiful Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge. Of course all national parks are free to explore this year in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday!

Discover Revelstoke in the beautiful Kootenays

The Kootenay region not only has spectacular natural surroundings, but lively communities, great eateries, breweries, coffee roasters, unique shopping, arts & crafts and farmers’ markets. For history buffs, you can visit the SS Moyie, the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world, at Kootenay Lake in Kaslo, or take in the Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre. Revelstoke is also home to British Columbia’s premier railway museum, while in Castlegar you can learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Doukhobors at the Doukhobor Discovery Centre. Nelson is a great historic little city with hundreds of heritage buildings, great restaurants and sidewalk cafes, and the most active cultural scene in the Kootenays.

There is so much to enjoy and discover in BC’s Kootenay region this summer. Book your accommodation at a Kootenay B&B as Bed & Breakfast hosts are always a great resource when staying in an area, as they’ll know all the fine details of what to see and do and how to get there. Have a great summer in the Kootenays!

]]>Green Tourism and B&Bshttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/05/green-tourism-and-bbs/
Sun, 14 May 2017 18:05:13 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4737Recently our member A View to Remember in West Kelowna received Gold Level certification from Green Tourism Canada, showing a great commitment to not only outstanding hospitality, but also to outstanding environmental practices. A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast was the very first B&B to receive Green Tourism Certification and they achieved a silver level previously.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at A View to Remember in West Kelowna

What is Green Tourism certification? Green Tourism first started in the UK in 1997 as one of the first sustainable tourism rating programs in the world, and has grown to be one of the most sought-after eco-labels and certification programs. Applying for a Green Tourism certification shows a real commitment to best environmental practices and reducing your environmental impact, as it includes a one-on-one very detailed assessment and comes at considerable cost. The program offers continued support and information and has certified hotels, whale watching companies, tourism attractions and others. Members are assessed on a list of minimum standards plus management and marketing, social and communications, energy, water and effluent, sustainable purchasing, reducing waste, travel, nature and cultural heritage, innovation and tourism experiences.

Green Tourism certification logo

With Bed & Breakfasts being in the innkeepers’ homes, this adds another whole level to the process to get a green tourism rating, as the assessment also includes best practices in the home environment.

While not all BC Bed & Breakfasts have gone to the extent of getting a Green Tourism rating, many do operate with policies to reduce their carbon footprint. Many innkeepers buy locally sourced and organic products for that delicious breakfast you enjoy in the morning. Many use environmentally friendly cleaning products, lower energy appliances and bathroom fixtures to name a few, and extensively recycle. People who run B&Bs are ambassadors for their regions or cities and want to preserve that environment to continue to be able to share it. If you book a B&B and the environment is of concern to you, please feel free to ask your innkeepers what they are doing to reduce their environmental footprint.

]]>Out And About This Springhttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/04/out-and-about-this-spring/
Tue, 11 Apr 2017 02:40:12 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4729Now that spring is finally here, our thoughts are turning to a bit of travel and festivals and events we might like to take in. Once the temperatures rise a bit more and some sun sticks around, it will be a great time to be out and about this spring.

May 4 – 14 are the dates for this year’s Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. Special events, tastings and food & wine pairings will be held at wineries and restaurants from Kamloops to Osoyoos in the Thompson Okanagan region. From a bocce tournament & picnic to a wine tasting & garden party and special events celebrating Moms on Mothersday, the Spring Wine Festival offers a great variety of events. Don’t forget to check their website on May 4th for the bottle bucket list; visit any 8 participating wineries during the festival or attend a signature event, tag your photo @OKWineFest with the hashtag #BottleBucketList and enter to win great prizes.

Enjoy vineyard dinners at Okanagan Wine Festivals

Victoria hosts the Highland Games & Celtic Festival in May

At Fisherman’s Wharf in Vancouver, Saturday May 13th is the date for their Spot Prawn Festival. You can’t get prawns any fresher than this when you buy them directly off the boat from the people who catch them. The feature event is the Spot Prawn Boil, plus there are cooking demos, recipes available for you to try, live entertainment and a kids’ corner. The festival was founded by the Chefs’ Table Society of BC. Tickets for the Spot Prawn Boil sold out fast, well before the festival date, so get them early!

Victoria on Vancouver Island hosts the ever popular Highland Games & Celtic Festival on May 20, 21 & May 22 in Topaz Park. Other events associated with the Festival are happening a full week before the weekend long celebration. Events include piping & drumming, highland dance and Irish dance, heavy events, whisky school, clan tents and dog events. Be sure to wear your walking shoes!

As B&B Innkeepers who provide breakfast to our guests, we are often confronted with dietary restrictions ranging from vegetarian to gluten free or certain food allergies. On May 28th at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, Canada’s premier vegan & vegetarian expo, VegExpo, will take place. Come and find out what new and innovative products have come on the market, enjoy cooking demonstrations (of course!) and free samples, while the kids can enjoy an interactive kids’ zone. Over 200 local and international exhibitors are expected. Last year’s event broke the record for highest attended one day show at Canada Place, with more than 11,000 people visiting. Some innkeepers may be among this year’s crowd!

Of course our BC Bed & Breakfast innkeepers in all these cities will be happy to assist you with more information and best transportation options to all of these events, while making your stay an event in itself!

BC Innkeepers is proud to announce that several of our members have recently been recognized with awards. This is awards season after all!

Abbeymoore Manor in Victoria is once again a top B&B in Canada based on TripAdvisor Reviews. Perennially on the list, Abbeymoore Manor received a Travellers’ Choice Award again for 2017, as they have done every year. These awards were established in 2002 and are based on consumer reviews. Abbeymoore Manor is listed as #9 on the list of Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Canada.

Also receiving a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2017 are A View of the Lake and Demonstration Kitchen in West Kelowna, and A Touch of English Bed & Breakfast in Kelowna. These wonderful Okanagan Bed & Breakfasts are listed at #14 and #16 respectively on the list of Top 25 Canadian B&Bs and Inns.

BedandBreakfast.com, based in Austin, Texas, is the most comprehensive global site for finding Bed and Breakfast properties, with more than 12,000 properties worldwide, representing nearly 80,000 rooms. Finalists were chosen based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis of traveler reviews on BedandBreakfast.com from the past year, and winners were selected by an independent panel of guest judges. Recognized as two of the Top 10 B&Bs in Canada were Fisher House Bed & Breakfast in Victoria, and Cobble House Bed & Breakfast in Cobble Hill.

Both A View of the Lake and Demonstration Kitchen and A Touch of English B&B have been recognized with BedandBreakfast.com awards in past years as well.

While Bed & Breakfast innkeepers are generally pretty humble and do not tend to toot their own horn, it gives us great pleasure to recognize the great hospitality

Cobble House B&B in the Cowichan wine region

that our B&B members are famous for.

About BC Innkeepers

BC Innkeepers is a province wide professional Association of B&B innkeepers formed for education, marketing and representation purposes. Our members are independent B&B innkeepers of British Columbia, Canada who must adhere to the standards of our quality assurance program with regards to guests’ comfort and security. Look for our members and our signs around the province. For more information, please visit our website. To learn more, please contact Administrator Ingrid Vermegen

]]>Dine Out and Around!https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/02/dine-out-and-around/
Sat, 11 Feb 2017 22:20:00 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4694From January into early March many communities have Dine Out or Dine Around events happening to promote their local restaurants, accommodations and attractions. It’s a great time to explore your local community or take a few days to explore an area not too far away.

Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria launches with a gala event at the Victoria Conference Centre on February 16. With 60 restaurants, more than 20 VQA wineries and breweries, this will be a foodie’s paradise! During the two weeks of the event, which runs through March 5, restaurants will be offering special menus at $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person. And not only are restaurants getting in on the action, Bed & Breakfasts and hotels are encouraging you to stay a few nights by offering special overnight rates ranging for $89 to $169. Victoria is a great place to visit anytime of year, and if you come towards the end of the Dine Around & Stay In Town event, you can also take part in the annual Victoria Flower Count! Since 1976 this fun event to promote Victoria as a destination in the shoulder season and to bring pride to communities has been a great success. After all, Victoria is not called The Garden City for nothing! Usually this event takes place in late February, but as even BC’s balmy west coast had quite the winter this year, the Flower Count will happen March 6th to March 12th.

Great food, great company, Dine Around!

If you want to check out the deals and great food in Vancouver at Canada’s largest annual food and drink festival, you’ll have to plan on doing so next year. Dine Out Vancouver took place from January 20 through February 5. Special fixed price menus at $20, $30 and $40 and dine & stay packages were on offer here as well, as were numerous unique culinary events. Vancouver is such a multi-cultural city and that is definitely reflected in its restaurant scene.

BC’s Thompson Okanagan region also featured a similar festival with over 50 restaurants participating in Dine Around Thompson Okanagan in January. Menus ranged from $15 to $45, and this being the Okanagan, you just know that many Okanagan wines were on offer.

Cowichan Valley restaurants take part in the first Eat Stay Play!

Back on Vancouver Island, Dine Around Mid-Island takes place March 3 through March 19, a seventeen day event to explore the cuisine in Nanaimo, Parksville, Lantzville and Qualicum Beach. When Victoria’s Festival ends, travel up Island and check out some great places in this region.

Before you get to Nanaimo you must stop in the Cowichan region for a few days for its first ever Dine Around event, Eat Stay Play. This region, sometimes called “Canada’s Provence” is a real food lovers destination with wineries, breweries, distilleries, specialty food producers and top notch restaurants. Special fixed price menus from $15 to $45 per person, accommodation at local hotels and Bed & Breakfasts at $69, $99, and $119, and discounts at local attractions, can be enjoyed from February 24 to March 12.

Don’t let the weather stop you. Get out there and explore culinary BC!

]]>Book Your Romantic Get-Away….at a BC Bed & Breakfasthttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2017/01/book-your-romantic-get-away-at-a-bc-bed-breakfast/
Wed, 18 Jan 2017 22:44:23 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4676Have you made any plans for that special day of romance, Valentine’s Day?

romantic roses and bubbly for Valentine’s Day

The history of Valentine’s Day seems to go back to an early Roman fertility festival celebrated on February 15th called Lupercalia. Pope Gelasius 1 then named this a Christian holiday on February 14 to celebrate St. Valentine around 496. Which St. Valentine was being celebrated remains a bit of a mystery as there were three early saints by that name. Rather strangely, all three Valentines are said to have been martyred on February 14th. The most widely believed Valentine to be celebrated was a priest who fell in disfavor with Emperor Claudius II around 270. One legend goes that he continued to perform marriages in opposition to a prohibition by Claudius who believed that single men made better soldiers.

A special treat on Valentine’s Day

Not until the 14th century did this Christian feast day become associated with love and romance in the UK through a poem by Chaucer for the occasion of the engagement of Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. People started to exchange hand made cards made with lace and ribbons and cupids. By the 1850s it had spread to the US when a book publisher’s daughter started to mass produce Valentine’s cards. Today in Canada, Valentine’s Day is the fourth most lucrative retail event after Christmas, Back-to-School, and Mothers Day.

A B&B Get-Away includes a beautifully presented breakfast

Chocolate, flowers, cards, wine and jewelry are still the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts to that special someone in your life. In 2014, 12.3 million dozen roses were imported to Canada, mostly from Ecuador and Columbia! But travel is also becoming a more popular way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Canada. And you can still get the chocolate, wine and flowers when you chose a lovely Bed & Breakfast for a romantic get-away. Many B&Bs offer special romance packages that can include such things as chocolate-dipped strawberries or a box of chocolates or hand-made truffles, sparkling wine, fresh flowers or roses; sometimes a spa visit or in-room massage can be arranged, or a cheese & fruit tray along with wine. Some B&Bs have deliciously decadent spa baths or old-fashioned claw-foot tubs, or hot tubs under the stars. And of course there is that beautifully presented breakfast you’ll get to enjoy the following morning! As B&Bs are generally small businesses with the innkeepers/owners directly involved, it’s easy to get in touch and customize your romantic get-away just the way you would like it. Bed & Breakfasts are all about wonderful hospitality so the innkeepers will be happy to assist to make your get-away just perfect!

Whether you are looking for an urban get-away with other exciting places to visit close by, or you’re looking for that peaceful retreat in the country, on the beach, in the mountains, or in the forest, there is sure to be a BC Bed & Breakfast to suit your tastes. Can’t get away around Valentine’s Day? How about a gift certificate instead for later in the year? All you have to do is pick the B&B that appeals to you and your special someone, make that call and look forward to a very special get-away!

]]>Celebrate the Holidays at a Bed & Breakfasthttps://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/2016/12/celebrate-the-holidays-at-a-bed-breakfast/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:00:05 +0000https://www.bcsbestbnbs.com/blog/?p=4665Want to get away for the holidays? A great choice for celebrating the festive season if you’re not spending it with family and friends is to book a stay at a BC Bed & Breakfast.

Many B&Bs are festively decorated of course, but being a Bed & Breakfast, you’ll experience not only a great place to relax and rejuvenate and be pampered, but you’ll still get that personal touch of a home-like environment. Personalized hospitality is what Bed & Breakfasts are all about, and innkeepers know the fine line between interacting with their guests and leaving them to enjoy their privacy.

Look who wants to celebrate Christmas at this B&B!

If you’re a skier, we know a great B&B in Pemberton that puts you right near the slopes at Whistler/Blackcombe. Our North Vancouver B&Bs are a great place to stay if you’re tackling the local ski hills at Cypress, Grouse or Seymour. Our members in Revelstoke and Golden are situated in great ski resorts, and don’t forget the Okanagan with its great powder!

a Christmas corner at Misty Meadows Bed & Breakfast

Want to spend time in the city instead? There is no shortage of things to do even at Christmas time, starting with enjoying the Christmas light displays at the new maze in Vancouver (the world’s largest) and Van Dusen Botanical Garden, or the Twelve Days of Christmas at Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Or take a day trip up Island to see the Ladysmith Festival of Lights with stops along the way. Walk the seawall in Stanley Park, along the oceanfront at Dallas Road in Victoria, or the Kelowna Boardwalk to get some exercise and fresh air in between the mulled wine and Christmas cookies! Your B&B innkeepers will surely have some to share with you and offer some special touches when you’re staying over the holidays.

Christmas at Clair’s Bed & Breakfast in Ladner

Or maybe you’re looking for some quiet time together to cuddle up and watch a movie or grab that book you’ve been waiting to read uninterrupted. You can do that too at a B&B as we try to make your stay just as you would like it. Escape from the busyness of this crazy, hectic time of year and just BE. Find your favorite B&B for all holiday activities right here.

Of course if you are visiting family or friends, B&Bs are still a great place to stay if their house is already full. Enjoy the days with your family and then come back to your peaceful B&B at the end of the day, and start the next morning with a delicious, relaxed, and beautifully presented breakfast. We want you to feel special and enjoy the holiday season! If you do, you might like to give a B&B get-away to someone special in your life for another special occasion, so they can enjoy that same great BC Bed & Breakfast experience!

We wish all our guests, past and future, a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and a healthy and happy 2017! We hope to see you next year!